INTRODUCTION
STATISTICS PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION
This publication presents a range of social and housing statistics produced from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing for Tasmania. For comparative purposes, it includes 1996 Census data based on 2001 Census geography.
The tables in this publication provide a selection of data for the population and their housing arrangements for Urban Centres/Localities (UC/L) and Sections of State (SOS). These geographic structures classify areas according to size of the population. Whilst the UC/L classification covers only part of each state and territory, the SOS classification covers each state and territory in its entirety. Refer to the Glossary for more information about the definitions of UC/L and SOS.
The data are presented on the basis of where people were counted on Census Night ('asenumerated'), and therefore data for each geographic area include visitors to that area, but exclude those people who were away on Census Night. All tables exclude overseas visitors unless otherwise stated.
Data released in Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Tasmania (cat.no. 2015.6) provide various characteristics for Statistical Divisions (SDs), Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). Refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
POPULATION MEASURES
Census counts should not be confused with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) official population estimate, the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) which is used for electoral purposes and in assisting in the distribution of government funds to state and local governments. The ERP is the definitive population estimate and is derived from the census counts. For a fuller description of population measures and the derivation of ERP, please see paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the Explanatory Notes. Appendix 1-Estimated Resident Population includes a table showing census counts and ERP for each state and territory.
One of the important features of the Census is that it describes the characteristics of Australia's population and housing for small geographic areas and small population groups. While not available in this publication, data at the smallest geographic level (Collection District) are available in a range of census products. For more information on these products, please refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services. Concepts and definitions used in this publication are explained in the Glossary and more detailed information is available in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). The Explanatory Notes in this publication provide a discussion of the scope and coverage of the Census, the different measures of population, and the limitations of census data.
This publication is one of a series of publications which provide data for both UC/L and SOS geographic areas for each state and territory (cat. nos 2016.1-7). A similar publication is also available, providing data for urban centres across the whole of Australia (cat. no. 2016.0). See Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Person characteristics
Population distribution
The Census of Population and Housing conducted on 7 August 2001 counted 456,652 persons (including 1,811 overseas visitors) in Tasmania, a decrease of 0.7% since the 1996 Census (459,659 persons).
There were 36 Urban Centres and 65 Localities in Tasmania in 2001, with the highest population counts recorded in the Urban Centres of Hobart (126,048), Launceston (68,443), Devonport (21,575) and Burnie-Somerset (18,095). These Urban Centres accounted for 51.3% of the population.
Age
In 2001, the median age was 36 years, compared with 34 years in 1996. The proportion of persons aged 0-14 years decreased from 22.7% in 1996 to 21.4% in 2001, while the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over increased from 12.3% to 13.4% during the same period.
The highest percentages of persons aged 0-14 years were recorded in Bridgewater-Gagebrook (32.2%), Hadspen (29.0%), Seven Mile Beach (28.1%) and Woodbridge (L) (27.6%).
A High proportion of persons aged 65 years and over was recorded in the Urban Centres of St Helens-Stieglitz (24.3%) and Bridport (21.3%), and in the Localities of Swansea (29.7%), Orford (26.8%) and Low Head (26.7%).
Sex
In 2001, there were more females (232,614) than males (224,038) with higher proportions of females recorded in urban areas (Major Urban (51.9%) and Other Urban (51.8%)). Proportionally more males were recorded in Rural Balance (51.7%).
Males outnumbered females in 63 Urban Centres and Localities. A higher proportion were recorded in the Urban Centres of Rosebery (56.6%) and Beauty Point (53.0%), and in the Localities of Tullah (57.2%), Primrose Sands (55.5%) and Eaglehawk Neck (54.5%).
A higher proportion of females were recorded in the Urban Centres of Deloraine (54.1%), Ulverstone (53.2%) and Wynyard (52.7%), and in the Localities of LowHead(54.1%), Franklin (53.9%), Oatlands (53.5%) and Lilydale (53.3%).
Median individual income
The median weekly income grew from $257 in 1996 to $314 in 2001, an increase of 22.2%, with slightly larger increases recorded in the Rural Balance (24.2%) and MajorUrban(21.4%) sections of the state.
The highest median income was recorded in the Urban Centre of Seven Mile Beach ($479) followed by Old Beach ($425) and Lauderdale ($396), while Localities with high median incomes were Fern Tree ($495), Dilston ($466) and Cremorne ($457). The lowest incomes were recorded in the Localities of Maydena ($225), Waratah ($226) and St Marys ($230).
Indigenous status
The number of persons who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 13.7% to15,773persons in 2001, up from 13,873 persons in 1996, representing 3.5% of the Tasmanian population (excluding overseas visitors).
Over half of the Urban Centres and Localities reported proportions of Indigenous persons equivalent to or less than the average for Tasmania (3.5%). The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Cygnet (24.9%), Geeveston (15.6%) and Dover (12.9%), and in the Urban Centres of Huonville-Ranelagh (10.0%) and Bridgewater-Gagebrook (9.8%).
Birthplace
The number of persons born in Australia decreased by 2.2% to 386,036 people in 2001, down from 394,782 persons in 1996, representing 84.9% of the population in Tasmania (excluding overseas visitors).
In 15 of the urban centres and localities, 90.0% or more of the population were born in Australia. The highest proportions of Australian-born were recorded in the Localities of Bracknell (95.0%), Ringarooma (92.9%), Oatlands (92.6%) and Branxholm (91.4%).
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors) 10.0% (45,375 persons) stated that they had been born overseas, with high proportions recorded in the Localities of Grindelwald (23.9%), FernTree(19.8%) and Dilston (19.6%), and in the Urban Centres of Kingston-Blackmans Bay (15.4%), Legana (13.9%) and Hobart (12.5%).
Internet and Personal computer use
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 37.6% (170,842 persons) used a personal computer at home in the week prior to Census Night. Of the same population, 90.0% (153,720 persons) used the Internet in the week prior to Census Night.
The highest percentages of persons who used a personal computer at home were recorded in the Localities of Fern Tree (65.7%), Dilston (56.1%) and Otago (55.4%), while low proportions were recorded in the Localities of Triabunna (17.5%), Waratah and White Beach (both 18.7%)
Employed persons
In 2001, there were 182,522 employed persons (89.9% of the labour force), an increase of 311 persons since 1996.
Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed persons were Hobart (52,425 persons or 90.6% of the labour force), Launceston (27,696 or 89.8%), Devonport (7,820 or 87.0%) and Kingston-Blackmans Bay (6,581 or 93.5%).
Full-time employment
The number of full-time workers decreased by 5.7% from 117,904 persons in 1996 to 111,134 persons in 2001, this represents 60.9% of the employed population in Tasmania. As a proportion of persons in the labour force, the highest proportions of full-time workers were recorded in the Localities of Kempton (66.4%) and Currie (64.4%). Urban Centres with the highest proportions of full-time workers were Scottsdale (61.8%) and Rosebery (61.4%).
Part-time employment
In 2001, 66,030 workers (36.2% of employed persons) were employed part-time, an increase of 9.6% (5,811) since 1996. The highest proportions of part-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Localities of WhiteBeach(54.9%) and Eaglehawk Neck (50.0%). The Locality with the lowest proportion of part-time workers was Tullah (18.4%).
Unemployed persons
In 2001, 10.1% of the labour force (20,526 persons) were unemployed, compared with 11.0% (22,465 persons) in 1996. High unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Railton (32.2%), Waratah (28.0%) and Primrose Sands (21.3%).
For those aged 15-24 years the unemployment rate fell to 19.2% from 19.6% in 1996. The highest youth unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Waratah (50.0%), Bridgewater-Gagebrook (46.3%) and Railton (45.8%).
The number of unemployed persons looking for full-time employment decreased by 13.9%, down from 18,172 persons in 1996 to 15,639 in 2001. Those looking for part-time work increased by 13.8%, from 4,293 persons in 1996 up to 4,887 in 2001.
Occupation
In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals and Associate Professionals (28.5%), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (16.7%) and Tradespersons and Related Workers (12.4%). These proportions are similar to those in 1996.
The highest percentages of Professionals and Associate Professionals were recorded in the Localities of Fern Tree (59.4%), Howden (47.3%) and Forth (46.9%).
High proportions of Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers were recorded in the Localities of Lewisham (23.4%), Collinsvale (23.2%) and Bagdad (21.7%).
The Localities with the highest proportions of Tradespersons and Related Workers were Waratah (22.9%), Low Head (21.3%) and Cressy (20.9%).
Industry
In 2001, the three largest industries of employment in Tasmania were Retail Trade (15.0%), Manufacturing and Health and Community Services (both 11.6%). These industries were also the top three industries in 1996.
The highest proportions of persons employed in Retail Trade were recorded in the Localities of Ross (23.9%), Gawler (22.9%) and Ridgley (20.8%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Manufacturing were recorded in the Localities of George Town (33.0%), Branxholm (31.9%) and Railton (28.9%).
High proportions of persons employed in Health and Community Services were recorded in New Norfolk (19.2%), Opossum Bay (L) (15.7%) and Lilydale (L) (15.2%).
Dwelling Characteristics
Total number of dwellings
The number of dwellings increased by 3.4% from 201,817 in 1996 to 208,702 in 2001. Of these dwellings, 86.8% (181,172) were occupied private dwellings, 12.9% (26,874) were unoccupied private dwellings and 0.3% (649) were non-private dwellings.
Total number of persons
The number of persons in occupied private dwellings decreased from 446,312 in 1996 to443,715in2001. Of these, 44.7% (198,448 persons) were counted in Other Urban areas.
Occupied private dwellings Characteristics
Fully owned
Of the 181,172 occupied private dwellings in Tasmania, 41.6% were fully owned, compared with 42.4% in 1996. The Rural Balance and Bounded Locality areas recorded the highest proportions of fully owned dwellings in both 2001 and 1996.\
Home ownership proportions were highest in the Localities of Dilston (63.9%), Bracknell(62.5%) and Fingal (61.4%).
Being purchased
In Tasmania, 28.2% of private dwellings were being purchased, compared with 27.0% in 1996. The Rural Balance recorded the highest percentages in both 2001 (31.1%) and 1996 (29.7%).
High proportions of homes being purchased were recorded in the Urban Centres of OldBeach(62.2%), Seven Mile Beach (49.7%) and Hadspen (L) (47.5%).
Housing loan repayments
The median loan repayment increased by 3.5% up from $593 in 1996 to $614 in 2001. High median loan repayments were recorded in Otago (L) ($866), Grindelwald ($850) and Cremorne (L) ($741).
Rented dwellings
In 2001, 24.1% (43,649) of occupied private dwellings were being rented, compared with 24.9% in 1996. The Major Urban areas recorded the highest percentages in both 2001(28.7%) and 1996 (29.7%).
The highest proportions of rented dwellings were recorded in Bridgewater-Gagebrook (63.4%), Currie (L) (37.6%) and Strahan (L) (32.6%).
Rent
The median weekly rent increased by 11.8%, from $93 in 1996 to $104 in 2001). The Major Urban areas recorded the highest median rent ($114) compared with the Rural Balance ($83) section of the state.
High median rent was recorded in the Urban Centres of Old Beach ($155), Lauderdale($140) and Seven Mile Beach ($138), and in the Localities of Otago ($191), Grindelwald ($183) and Fern Tree ($162).
Family Characteristics
The number of families grew from 123,706 in 1996 to 124,078 families in 2001, an increase of 0.3%. Of these families, 43.7% were couples with dependent and non-dependent children, 38.4% were couples without children, 16.5% were one parent families and 1.4% were of other family type. In the Rural Balance area, 47.6% of couple families had dependent children, compared with 51.7% in 1996.
The highest proportions of couple families with dependent children were recorded in Collinsvale (L) (52.7%), Old Beach (50.5%) and Howden (L) (49.4%).
The highest proportions of couple families with no children were recorded in the Localities of Swansea (64.4%), Ross (57.7%) and White Beach (56.3%).
High proportions of one parent families were recorded in Bridgewater-Gagebrook (38.9%), Lilydale (L) (28.1%) and Maydena (L) (25.0%).
Households Characteristics
The number of households grew from 170,911 in 1996 to 175,867 in 2001, an increase of 2.9%. Of these households, 26.9% were lone person households and 3.0% were group households. This is similar to 1996 (24.8% and 3.3% respectively).
The highest proportions of lone person households were recorded in the Localities of Primrose Sands (39.3%), Currie (36.3%) and Fingal (35.6%).
The highest proportions of groups households were recorded in the Localities of Gravelly Beach (5.0%) and Launceston (4.3%).
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